We are all dealing with the fight/flight /freeze pattern to some extent every day. Whether it comes from deadlines, traffic, noisy neighbors or from internal expectations of perfection, this contractive pattern is human. If we can bring our habitual reaction … Continue reading
Take a moment to pick up and look at your phone. Notice what you did with your head, face, neck, shoulders. No judgment, just awareness. Put it down, and this time, as you pick it up, think of letting your … Continue reading
I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that Alexander’s idea of achieving greater freedom and ease of movement works also with more than just muscles, nerves and bones. Looking for places in my body where I habitually store stress, it didn’t … Continue reading
A gentle balance of your head on top of your spine can be an ongoing practice anywhere, anytime. A gentle balance suggests that it is not necessary to hold the head in position with neck muscles. The skull is meant … Continue reading
From childhood we are admonished to “stand up straight.” We learned to pull our shoulders back, lift our chests, and then try to hold that position. But this position is unsustainable! Because it is hugely inefficient. So we drop down, … Continue reading
In the Alexander Technique, there is no “perfect posture” into which you should “sit up straight.” Instead, you learn how to use your sense of balance to stop holding too much tension or not enough tone. You learn to access … Continue reading
First, bring your whole body into awareness. Sit on the chair so that you notice the weight on your seat bones, you can let your feet lie flat on the floor, and let your torso balance in neutral over the … Continue reading
Bring your awareness to your face as you read this. Can you allow the muscles to soften? As you think to yourself that you’d like to soften your eyes, you don’t need to do anything. Just the intention will be … Continue reading
Bring your breath into your awareness. Notice your breathing pattern. Do your ribs move? Or do they feel constricted? Are you breathing through your nose or mouth? What does it feel like in your chest? Your back? Your belly? Your … Continue reading
Whatever you are doing right now, pause and bookmark your physical, mental, and emotional state, including your breath. Don’t try to change anything. Just notice what is happening within you. Now notice the weight and form of your body. Begin … Continue reading